Transfer-table-driving mechanism



M. G. HILPERT. TRANSFER TABLE omvmc MECHANISM. APPLICATION FILED MAYZII 192-0. 1,401,334, Patented Dec. 27,1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- gnpe'nfoz atfomwqs,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MEIER GEO. HILPERT, OF HARRISBURG,

PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO IBETHLE- HEM STEEL BRIDGE CORPORATION, OF BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPO- To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, MEIER G. HILPERT, a citizen of the United States, and residing at Harrisburg, county of Dauphin, State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Im rovements in Transfer- Table-Driving M echanism, set forth in the annexed specification.

The present invention relates to transfer tables of the type having trucks pivotally connected to the table to support the same, and more particularly to the means for driving a table of this type.

he principal features of novelty consist in the provision of a simple and dependable means for driving one of the truck wheels to thereby actuate the table; in the provision of such means disposed at one end of the table and laterally thereof where it is easily accessible; in the provision of an actuating device, located as stated, constructed and arranged to maintain operative relation with a truck wheel regardless of the extent of the pivotal movement of the truck; and in the provision of a machinery carrying frame supported by the table and disposed at one end and laterally thereof. i

To these ends the invention comprises the combination with a table-having trucks supporting the same through pivotal connections, of means disposed at one end of the table and laterally thereof to drive a wheel of one of said trucks. More specifically it comprises a machinery supporting frame carried by the table by means including hearings on an axle of a truck and means on the frame having a power transmission connection with a member coaxial with said axle.

Other objectsand features of novelty will be apparent from the description taken in connection with the drawings, inwhich--- Figure 1 is a horizontal sectional view taken at one end of a transfer table equipped with a drivin mechanism constructed "in accordance wit the present invention and Fi 2 is a sectional elevation taken substantlally on the line 2-2 of Fig.

Referring to the drawings, the invention is illustrated in connection with a transfer Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 21,

TRAN SFER-TABLE-DRIVING MECHANISM.

Patented Dec. 2'7, 1921.

1920. Serial No. 383,056.

table having two girders 10 and 11, the end portions of which are illustrated in Fig. 1. As shown, these girders are supported on the trucks 12 and 13, there being a pivotal connection between the girders and trucks so that the trucks may oscillate about a horizontal axis relative to the girders, such movement occurring because of inequalities in the track. Furthermore this type of con nection permits the girders to flex relative to the trucks when the girders are subjected to unequal loads or other forces which tend to rack the same. between the trucks and girders may be of any suitable construction. As shown they consist of the disks 1-:-i having segmental projections 14 disposed in suitable seats in the frame of the trucks;

According to the present invention movement of the table to bring its track in alinement with a desired approach track is effected by driving a wheel of one of the trucks. In the form of the invention illustrated the truck 13 has two Wheels 15 and 16 dis osed on opposite sides of the girder 11. T e wheel 15 is mounted on an axle 15 from which the body of the truck is suspended on the bearings 17 and 18 on opposite sides of the Wheel. In a similar manner the wheel 16 is mounted on an axle 19 and the body of the truck at its opposite end is suspended from said axle through the bearings 20 and 21. In the embodiment illus trated in the drawings the wheel. 15 is driven through suitable mechanism disposed laterally of the girder 11. For this purpose a machinery frame F is supported by the turntable and carries the driving mechanism. This frame includes two opposite side members 22 and 23. The ends of said members adjacent the girder 11 are pivotally supported on the axle 15 by bearings 24 and 25, these bearings preferably being disposed on o posite sides of the wheel 15 and being wide y spaced so that the frame is supported very securely against twisting or turning. The opposite ends of the members 22 and 23 are pivotally connected as by pins 26 to vertical hangers 27, the upper ends of which are secured to a cross member 28 in turn The pivotal connections carried by the beams 29 which support the cab 30. It will be seen therefore that the platform is supported on the table by means including bearings 011 the wheel axle. Furthermore, the frame is disposed laterally of one of the girders and under the operating cab.

Any suitable mechanism may be mounted on the frame for the purpose of driving the wheel 15. As illustrated, a motor 31 on the frame has a pinion 32 on its armature shaft meshing with .a gear 33 on a shaft 3 f. In turn this shaft 3 L has a pinion 35 which meshes with a gear 36 mounted on the axle 15' for rotation therewith. A suitable controlling device as indicated at 37 is disposed in the cab for governing the operation of the motor 31. It will be seen when the motor is energized, through the gearing, the wheel 15 will be rotated thereby moving the table. In the form f the in vention illustrated the track 38 on which the truck wheels run is circular, as the table shown is of the turntable type.

In order to permit the table to be moved manually the end of the armature shaft of the motor is adapted to receive an operating crank 39 so that through the gearing the wheel 15 may be turned manually. The armature shaft is also provided with a brake device &0 controlled by a pedal 41 in the cab.

In the operation of the driving device, when the motor is energized, the wheel 15 is driven through the gearing and the table moved as long as the motor is energized. It will be noted that the manner of supporting the machinery frame always maintains a driving connection to the wheel 15, although the truck may rock on its pivots. Furthe"- more, the whole driving device is' very simple, easily accessible, and exceedingly light in weight. With the type of drive described herein it isnot necessary to add a weighting-down device for the reason that the present invention utilizes the weight carried to the track through one of the truck wheels.

Although a specific embodiment of the invention. has been described in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not thus limited but includes modifications and changes which come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described my invention'what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a transfer table having girders and trucks supporting the same adapted for pivotal movement relative to the girders due to unevenness in the track, a frame. means supporting said frame on the table including a pivotal connection to an axle of one of said trucks, and a motor on the frame connected to drive said axle and thereby the table.

2. In a transfer table having girders and supporting trucks, one of which is adapted for pivotal movement relative to the girders due to unevenness in the track, a frame, means supporting said frame on the table including a pivotal connection to said truck, a gear on said truck coaxial with said pivotal connection, and gearing on said frame for driving said gear and. thereby the table.

3. In a transfer table including a truck having a pivotal connection therewith and a driving gear; a frame, a pinion on the frame in mesh with said gear, means supporting said frame constructed and arranged to hold said pinion in mesh with said gear for all pivotal movements of said truelr, and means to rotate said pinion.

i. In a transfer table including a truck having a pivotal connection therewith and a driving gear; a frame, a pinion on the frame in mesh with said gear, means supporting said frame for pivotal movement about the axis of said gear, and means to rotate said pinion.

5. In a transfer table including a truck i having a pivotal connection therewith and a toothed driving wheel; a frame, a second wheel rotatively connected with the first wheel, means supporting said frame for pivotal movement about the axis of said driving wheel and means to rotate said second wheel.

6. In a transfer table including a trnclc having a plurality of supporting wheels, a pivotal connection with the table, and a driving wheel; a frame. a second wheel rotativel connected with the said hriving wheel, means supporting said frame for pivotal movement about the axis of said driving wheel and means to rotate said second wheel.

7. In a transfer table including a truck having a pivotal connection therewith; a driving wheel coaxial with one of the truck wheels, a frame, a second wheel rotativelv connected to said driving wheel, means supporting said frame for pivotal movement about the axis of said driving wheel and means to rotate said second wheel.

8. In a transfer table including a truck having a pivotal connection therewith, axles and supporting wheels on the axles; a driving wheel on one of said axles, a frame, a second wheel 011 said frame rotatively connected with said driving wheel, means supporting said frame including a bearing on the axle having the driving wheel, and means on the frame to rotate said second wheel.

9. In a transfer table including a truck having a pivotal connection therewith, axles and supporting wheels on the axles; a gear on one of said axles, a machinery carrying frame, a pinion on said frame meshing with said gear, means supporting said frame inframe a inion'on said frame meshin with saidgear, means supporting said frame including a bearm on said axle on each side of said gear, an means on the frame to rotate said pinion.

11. In a transfer table including a truck having a pivotal connection therewith; a frame; a motor on the frame having its shaft parallel to a truck axle, gearing rotatively connecting the shaft and axle, and means supporting the frame including said axle.

12. In a transfer table including a truck having a pivotal connection therewith; a drive shaft disposed laterally of and parallel to, an axle of said truck, a gear on said axle, gearing rotatively connecting the shaft and said gear, and means supporting said drive shaft and arin 13. In a trans er ta le including a truck havi a pivotal connection therewith; a canta Iver support at one end and laterally of the table, a machinery frame at one end pivotally carried on an axle of said truck and at its opposite end suspendedlfrom said support, a gear on said axle andmeans on sai frame torotate said car.

14. In a transfer table including a truck having a pivotal connection therewith, said truck comprising a pluralit of supporting wheels; a frame dis osed aterally of the axis of one of said w eelsand supported to pivot about said axis, and means on said frame operably connected with said wheel to rotate the same.

15. The combination with a transfer table having girders and trucks adjacent the ends of the girders projecting laterally on both sides thereof supporting said girders; of means disposed at one end of the table and laterally thereof to drive a wheel of one of said trucks, to move the table.

16. The combination with a transfer table having girders and trucks adjacent the ends of the girders projecting laterally on both sides thereof supporting the girders; of means disposed at one end of the table supported thereby laterally thereof to drive a wheel of one of said trucks to move the table.

17. The combination with a transfer table having girders and trucks supporting the girders; each truck including a pair of axles each having a supporting wheel, a frame disposed laterally of the axle of one of said wheels and carried by the table, and a motor on said frame operably connected with said last mentioned wheel to rotate the same;

18. The combination with a transfer table having girders and trucks supporting the girders; each truck including a pair of axles each having a supporting wheel, a frame disposed laterally of the axle of one of said wheels, means supporting said frame including a member rigid with the frame bearing on said axle, and means on said frame operably connected with said last mentioned wheel to rotate the same.

In testimony whereof I afiix m si ature.

MEIER GEO. H LP RT. 

